Job Discussion Forums

sebailey · Joined: 17 Nov 2004 Posts: 10 Location: USA

Has anyone heard anything about this school?
http://www.avo-3.com/teach.html
It is an English school in Sofia, Bulgaria, that offers CELTA and DELTA training and certificates at prices MUCH MUCH lower than other schools in the rest of Europe and the US. I'm talking like $1500, accomodation included, as opposed to $1700-$2200 without accomodation. The course also lasts 5 weeks and so is less intense than other 4 week CELTA courses, which appeals to me. It appears to be Cambridge accredited and on the up and up, and what's more when I emailed them for more information they answered my query with lots of helpful info, but without a hard sell. If anyone knows anything about this school I would love to hear your experiences. The only downsides as far as I'm concerned are the airfare and having to live in Bulgaria for more than a month (it seems so depressing-- those post Soviet Blok countries all do--from what I've seen) but even that would be an interesting experience. Please let me know!

arodeorowdy · Joined: 09 Aug 2004 Posts: 125 Location: Shenzhen, China

Well I've been to Sophia and their is a lot of poverty, but it was a very interesting place. I could easily spend a few months there before I would tire of the place. People are friendly and food was good. So why not?

I'm in China teaching now w/o a TEFL, but I'm interested in getting one to improve my skills. As long as I continue to teach here I won't need a certificate, but I'm interested in going to Indonesia or Vietnam and it would be very helpful to have one there.
Cheers, Rowdy

sebailey · Joined: 17 Nov 2004 Posts: 10 Location: USA

About Sofia,
Could you give me an idea of the cost of living there for a non native? I've heard that about $50 a week will wine and dine me pretty well. Thanks for the tip!
Sarah

arodeorowdy · Joined: 09 Aug 2004 Posts: 125 Location: Shenzhen, China

If your have your own apt. that is possible, but what price you'll pay depends on a few factors. You could find a grandmotherly type who rents a room. They are around the train/bus stations or you could put an add in the paper while your staying at a hostel. Have her throw in room and board and you'd be living cheap. I was only there a week and stayed at a hostel for $10/night. Internet was the cheapest I've found ANYWHERE I've ever been; 50 cents an hour US. Clothes can be found cheap at the markets and food as well. Also in downtown you can find the pricy shops where the monied people shop.
That's about all I can tell you.
Cheers, Rowdy

Njord · Joined: 22 Jan 2005 Posts: 11 Location: Uppsala, Sweden

Does anyone else have any information on this course in Bulgaria? I read that all CELTAs are not equal, so I was wondering if they have a good reputation. I'm already in Europe, it's less expensive, and it's five weeks instead of the usual four, so I'm leaning towards this option.